# NTSB SEA87LA079: Hughes 369HS, N8313F, Yakima, WA, April 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1987, 11:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: Yakima, WA
- Coordinates: 46.719043, -120.410125 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7190&lon=-120.4101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40611/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA079

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

SIX MILES FROM THE AIRPORT, AT CRUISE, THE ENGINE CEASED OPERATING DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT HAD NOTICED THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT ON 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ENGINE FAILURE BUT ELECTED TO CONTINUE HIS FLIGHT. AUTOROTATION WAS MADE FROM 1,000 FEET AGL AND AT COMPLETION OF THE GROUND RUN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM AND SEVERED IT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8313F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8313F-2008-08-05), registration cancelled 2008-08-05, S/N 360799S, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 360799S
- Airframe hours: 2508
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 278 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Berkley Structures, Inc.
- Registered owner: Berkley Structures, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 5, 1987, 21 hours before
- Departed: REDMOND, WA
- Destination: YKM, YAKIMA, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,102 total, 108 in this make and model, 3,523 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 21 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 36 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870411009259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870411009259A), Apr 11, 1987: Hughes 369HS, Yakima, WA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel. Made an autorotation descent. At touchdown main rotor blades chopped off the tail boom.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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